A Porsche 355? Not a car, I know. Porsche assigned design numbers to all
sorts of different things. They did a lot of design work for other
automakers. They also produced a line of industrial motors (used by, among
others, the Luftwaffe for auxiliary power units for starting their F-104s),
farm tractors and a handful of jeep-like vehicles, similar to VWs "Thing",
but with 4wd. All had their own design numbers. The design numbers didn't
always get assigned in chronological order, either.
In the chronological order of things, the 356 coupe came out in '48. I
believe the 356 cabriolet was introduced in the '51 (or is that '50?) model
year. The Speedster didn't come upon the scene until the '54 model year.
Funny. The Germans get all the glory for being the worlds greatest
automotive engineers. But, take a look at Formula 1. Without a doubt, the
ultimate in cutting edge, automotive engineering and technology. But, it's
the Brit engineers who are the dominant engineering force in F-1. Go
figure.
Bud Osbourne
-----Original Message-----
From Robert E. Shlafer [mailto:PilotRob at webtv.net]
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2004 9:02 PM
To: Bud Osbourne
Cc: Dbcooper292@aol.com; spridgets@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: confession time
Really...
Well, it's education time again for Bob,
yet again!!
What's a Porsche 355? I always thought
this was the Speedster, a forerunner of
the 356 Cabriolet.
BMW 2002...another Hoffman "win".
Had a boss once who had two of these
fine machines, both carbureted. Borrowed
one for a month while looking for a newer
MGB to replace my "older" MGB.
Fine machine...rode, handled and went
very well. Good on gas, too. :)
Cap'n. Bob
'60 :{)
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